DeGette statement on decision to invoke Defense Production Act

DENVER, CO – Following is a statement from U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) on the president's decision today to invoke the Defense Production Act to respond to the spread of the coronavirus:

"We are in the midst of a global health crisis. We need to immediately release our federal government stockpiles to provide our health care workers with the protective equipment they need. And we need the administration to use its newly implemented powers under the Defense Production Act to increase the production of N-95 masks, ventilators, and other personal protective equipment as soon as possible. The situation that we, as a nation, are currently in is unprecedented. The federal government needs to step up its efforts and start doing everything it can to help provide more of the life-saving equipment that our health care workers desperately need."